Hypothalamus Physiology and Hormone Mnemonic

The hypothalamus is located in the brain and links the nervous and endocrine system to each other. It releases a variety of neurohormones that either stimulate or inhibit secretion of pituitary hormones, and also uses electrical signaling to affect the posterior pituitary. The anterior pituitary is stimulated through the hypophyseal portal, which is a vascular system designed to bring hormones from the hypothalamus to the anterior pituitary directly. It releases growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) during the periods of development and growth, which stimulates growth hormone (GH) release. It also release gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which stimulates the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) triggers the release of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and dopamine, also known as prolactin inhibitory factor (PIF), prevents release of prolactin. Finally, corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF, also known as CRH) stimulates adrenocorticotropic-hormone (ACTH) release as part of the stress response system.